Report: Target not replacing departing merchandising VP

New York — Another executive is leaving Target Corp. in the ongoing shakeup of the retailer’s management team under the watch of CEO Brian Cornell.

Jose Barra executive VP of merchandising, is leaving Target for a new position, according to the Wall Street Journal. His resignation follows the recent departure of the chain’s chief merchandising officer merchant, Kathryn Tesija, who stepped down after a long career and moved to an advisory role. Target said there would be no replacement for Barra, Reuters reported.

Barra was one of three merchandising deputies reporting directly to Tesija. He was promoted to executive VP along with two other merchants last year, shortly after Target CEO Brian Cornell took the helm.

Target's merchandising team includes Anne Dament, senior VP grocery; Christina Hennington, senior VP health and beauty; and Scott Nygaard, senior VP hardlines. According to an internal memo obtained by Drug Store News, the position of executive VP essentials and hardlines will be eliminated and Dament will assume responsibilty for owned brands. Dament will pick up responsbility for household, paper and pets in October. She will direct Amanda Irish, VP owned brands, and Moyo Labode, VP household, paper and pets.

Seattle — REI has named its first-ever CIO. The outdoor specialty retailer company is also on the hunt for talented techies to join its ranks.

REI promoted Julie Averill to CIO, where she will continue to lead REI’s technology organization. A 25-year technology veteran, Averill joined REI in 2014 and most recently served as VP of information technology.

"Over the past year and a half, Julie has effectively led investments in technology that enhance the employee experience and strengthen our service to more than 5.5 million members," said Eric Artz, REI's CFO and COO, REI, which operates 140 stores in 33 states.

Averill served as Nordstrom's VP of technology before joining REI, leading many of the department store company's technology innovations over the last decade.

As REI’s CIO, Averill will focus on key technology areas, including business intelligence, strategic merchandising, retail technology, digital experiences and IT infrastructure. Her team is instrumental in the planned opening of REI's third distribution center, opening in Goodyear, Arizona next year. The center will enable faster product replenishment and delivery to 40 of REI's 140 stores.

REI also is actively recruiting “elite” technical talent to join its growing IT team. The retailer will open a satellite office in September 2015 to serve as its technology hub in Eastgate, a neighborhood of Bellevue, Washington.

Targets adds more CPG, retail muscle to its board

New York — Two retail and consumer product goods veterans have joined Target's board of directors.

The company announced Wednesday that its board of directors elected Donald R. Knauss, former executive chairman and former chairman and CEO of the Clorox Company, and Robert L. Edwards, former CEO of Safeway Inc., as new directors, effective immediately.

Knauss, 64, served as chairman and CEO of Clorox from October 2006 until November 2014. He then served as executive chairman until July 1. Before joining Clorox, he was president and COO of Coca-Cola North America.

Edwards, 60, served as CEO of Safeway from May 2013 until April. He also served Safeway as president and CFO, from April 2012 to May 2013. He joined Safeway in 2004 as executive VP and CFO.

“Don and Robert each bring a deep understanding of the consumer and a wealth of relevant expertise to Target. Don has a lengthy track record of driving the strategic growth of prominent, consumer brands at global companies. Robert has held leadership positions in the grocery industry for more than a decade and will offer a fresh perspective on our food reinvention, in particular. Don and Robert will be important additions to our board as we continue to transform Target and elevate the guest experience,” said Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target.

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